Domaine Paul Autard - La Côte Ronde 2016

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

Jean-Paul Autard cultivates 25 hectares of vines in the northeast of the appellation, all in Courthézon. The cuvée juline (a contraction of Jules and Pauline, Jean-Paul's two children) generally comprises a good half of syrah, with barrel ageing. The wines are of honest construction, with the prestige cuvée côte-ronde a success in 2016.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

Grenache and Syrah on sand and rolled pebbles are on the menu for this red wine, aged for many years in barrel. The nose, with its mix of black fruits, vanilla, orange and spices, is beautifully complex. The palate unfurls a consistent, full-bodied flesh, which respects the beautiful coated tannins that give relief and hold to a young but voluptuous whole. A nicely channeled power and controlled ageing for a wine that will go a long way.

About the domain :

A statue of the Virgin Mary at the entrance to the estate reminds us that it was once a residence of the Avignon diocese. Beneath the pine hillside, the saffron cellar houses the barrels of wine for many months. Paul is the first name of the founder, Jean-Paul that of the current owner, who has run the estate since he was seventeen. The vineyard covers 25 ha, scattered to the north of Châteauneuf, on the Courthézon side.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Brighter and fresher than the 2015 version, the 2016 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée la Côte Ronde spent 17 months in new oak barrels without dulling its concentrated cherry and berry radius. There's a layer of cocoa, but this full-bodied, supple wine finishes with vivacity and length.

Wine Spectator

Wine Enthusiast